Herbicidal compositions

ABSTRACT

2-Amino-4-(hydroxy)(methyl)phosphinoylbutyric acid, which earlier nomenclature referred to as 2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid or its metal salts, or acid-addition salts thereof are used as perennial weeds and brush controlling agents. The L-isomer is twice effective than the racemic acid. The perennial weeds and brush controlling effect may be obtained by foliar application over a prolonged period and maY be surprisingly enhanced by using the compound with a herbicide or synergist selected from the group consisting of choline salt of maleic hydrazide, a phenoxy series herbicide, a benzoic acid series herbicide, 2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid or a salt thereof, (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl)oxyacetic acid or a salt thereof, N-phosphonomethylglycine or a salt thereof, ethylcarbamoylphosphoric acid or a salt thereof, 2-(1-allyloxyaminobutylidene)-5,5-dimethyl-4-methoxycarbonyl-cyclohexa ne-1,3-dione, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea,3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, choline or a salt thereof, and diethylamine or a salt thereof.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 68,185 filed Aug. 20, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,812 which, in turn, is a division of Ser. No. 971,636, filed Dec. 20, 1978, which issued as U.S. Pat. No 4,265,654.

The invention relates to herbicidal compositions and methods for controlling perennial weeds and brush.

More particularly, it relates to the application of herbicidal compositions for controlling perennial weeds and brush which comprise a compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, X and Y are same or different and each represents hydrogen atom, mono- or divalent metal atom, ammonium, mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylammonium, mono-, di- or triethanolammonium or mono-, di- or tri-lower alkenylammonium

or an acid-addition salt thereof.

It also relates to herbicidal compositions for controlling perennial weeds and brush which comprise an L-isomer of the compound of formula (I) or an acid-addition salt thereof and to the application thereof.

It further relates to herbicidal compositions for controlling perennial weeds and brush which comprise a compound of formula (I) or an acid-addition salt thereof and a herbicide or herbicides selected from the group consisting of a choline salt of maleic hydrazide, a phenoxy series herbicide, a benzoic acid series herbicide, 2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid or a salt thereof, (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl)oxy-acetic acid or a salt thereof, N-phosphonomethylglycine or a salt thereof, ethylcarbamoylphosphoric acid or a salt thereof, 2-(1-allyloxyaminobutylidene)-5,5-dimethyl-4-methoxycarbonyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, choline or a salt thereof, and diethylamine or a salt thereof and to the application thereof.

It still further relates to herbicidal compositions for controlling perennial weeds and brush which comprise an L-isomer of the compound of formula (I) or an acid-addition salt thereof and a herbicide or herbicides recited above and to the application thereof.

In this specification, mono- or di-valent metal atom means, for example, sodium, potassium, lithium, copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, nickel and manganese atom.

Lower alkylammonium means an alkylammonium having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methylammonium, ethylammonium, propylammonium, isopropylammonium, butylammonium, isobutylammonium and pentylammonium.

Di-lower alkylammonium includes, for example, dimethylammonium, diethylammonium, dipropylammonium, diisopropylammonium, dibutylammonium and dipentylammonium.

Lower alkenylammonium contain in its respective alkenyl groups, for example, 3 or 4 carbon atoms and a double bond.

Acids which form a salt with the compound of formula (I) include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, perchloric acid and nitric acid, and organic acids such as acetic acid, proionic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, chloroacetic acid, trichloracetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid.

Cholines mean choline and salts thereof with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid or carbonic acid, or with an organic acid such as acetic acid, oxalic acid or ascorbic acid.

Diethylamines mean diethylamine and salts thereof with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid or carbonic acid, or with an organic acid such as acetic acid, oxalic acid or ascorbic acid.

Phenoxy series herbicides include, for example, 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid or salts or esters such as allyl ester or ethyl ester thereof, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid or salts or esters such as allyl ester or ethyl ester thereof, α-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid or salts thereof, 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid or salts thereof, γ-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid or salts thereof, 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid or salts thereof and α-[4-(3,5-dichloropyridyl-2-oxy)phenoxy]propionic acid or salts thereof.

Benzoic acid series herbicides include, for example, 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid or salts thereof, 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid or salts thereof and 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid or salts thereof.

In recent years, the growth of perennial weeds has been increasing in paddy field, upland, orchard and meadow.

The propagation of perennial weeds by means of their underground part is so rapid and strong that it may not readily be controlled. In crop land, they propagate with their clonal propagation organ of the underground part finely divided and distributed by cultivation, agitation and movement of soil. As perennial weeds are generally large in size and propagate flourishingly and own the basis of life under the ground, they predominate over crops in the competition for nutrients, water and light. Heretofore, N-phosphonomethylglycine (hereinafter referred to as glyphosate) is known as the cntrolling agent for perennial weeds; but it has a disadvantage in that it is not particularly effective for broad-leaved weeds. Therefore, there have been desired controlling agents against a broad spectrum of weeds. It has been also a serious problem to control brush in non-crop land, meadow and forest land. For instance, large perennial weeds such as miyakozasa (Sasa nipponica Makino et Shibata) and eulalia (Miscanthus sinensis Andress.) and brush such as kumaichigo (Rubus crataegifolius Bunge), chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb et Zucc.) and Japanese bush cranberry (Viburnum dilatatum Thunb.) predominate over Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don ) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) in forest land in the competition for nutrients, water and light. Also at meadow, the control of brush around there is a problem.

There are few herbicides effective for brush because of difficulty in controlling it. Namely, unlike herbaceous plants, brush has a hard bark to prevent the penetration of a controlling agent; it is generally larger than herbaceous plants; and it has a developed reproduction mechanism, or branches even after defoliation.

While known herbicides are all synthetic substances, there have been desired readily degradable herbicides in view of environmental pollution. 2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid, which is one of the compounds represented by formula (I) and hereinafter referred to as AMPB, is an antibiotic substance obtained by the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Specifications 48-85538 and 49-31890, as laid open to public inspection and entitled "Novel method of producing α-amino-γ-methylphosphinobutyric acid". Said AMPB which was named 2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid hereinbefore is by the latest nomenclature named 2-amino-4-(hydroxy) (methyl)phosphinoylbutyric acid in accordance with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, "Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry", pages 384, 385 and 403 (1979 Edition). The compound has the above mentioned characteristic that is metabolized and degraded safely in nature's cycle.

AMPB is known to control a wide variety of phytopathogenic microorganisms at a low concentration and may be used as an agricultural fungicide, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Specification 49-14644 as laid open to public inspection. After further studies on the biological activities and utilities of the substance, it has been found that it has a superior herbicidal activity when applied at about ten times higher concentration than for controlling phytopathogenic microorganisms. Namely, AMPB is effective for controlling growing perennial weeds and brush by killing the underground part by foliar application and by strong inhibiting reproduction. The inventors have found, after detailed investigation of the characteristics of the action of AMPBs against perennial weeds and brush for a long period, that AMPBs possess contact killing effect, and at the same time, the following superior characteristics. To wit, when AMPBs are applied to foliage of perennial weeds, they move to the underground part such as rhizome, tuber, bulb, corm or root which is the basis of life of perennial weeds and kills the underground part.

As the results, perennial weeds are controlled by foliar application, preventing reproduction by the underground part. This has been an important but difficult problem to solve. Similarly, brush is controlled by foliar application of AMPBs which move to every part of the brush, thus killing it and preventing reproduction thereof. The newly found repreduction-preventing effect of AMPBs against perennial weeds and brush makes AMPBs advantageous over glyphosate.

For instance, while glyphosate shows poor controlling effect against broad-leaved perennial weeds, AMPBs show quite broad spectrum effect and control against almost all perennial weeds.

Further, AMPBs show quicker penetration and absorption into plants, better resistance to rainfall and control is effected more rapidly than when using glyphosate. Although known contact herbicides may kill perennial weeds and brush at their juvenile stage, they fail to control them when the underground part develops and reproduction takes place.

Contrary to this, it was confirmed that AMPBs may kill large weeds and brush. Furthermore, there has been no previous knowledge of the selective herbicidal activity of AMPBs. The inventors have found, after testings for various crops and trees, that Japanese cypress which is a useful tree and occupies 25 percent of forest land in Japan is quite resistant to AMPBs and that AMPBs may be used for controlling bottom weeds in Japanese cypress forest land to kill perennial weeds and brush and inhibit their reproduction over a long period of time.

Perennial weeds and brush may be found generally in non-crop land, orchard, forest land and meadow. As mentioned above, AMPBs have a strong activity against almost all of perennial weeds and brush, except Japanese cypress, and therefore, they may be used alone particularly to control and prevent the reproduction of perennial weeds and brush.

Accordingly, AMPBs may be used for the development of forest land and bottom weeds control of perennial weeds and brush in Japanese cypress forest land. They may also be used at meadow, orchard and non-crop land for controlling perennial weeds and brush. Further, they may be effectively used in a paddy field for controlling perennial lowland weeds. Furthermore, they may be used upland for controlling perennial weeds before sowing, as they may be inactivated in soil comparatively rapidly.

As is clear in formula (I), AMPB has an asymmetric carbon atom at 2-position, and therefore, there exist stereo-isomers. After further studies of upperground part-killing activity and reproduction-inhibiting activity of AMPBs, the inventors have found that L-isomer of AMPB (hereinafter referred to as L-AMPB) has twice the activity of AMPB (hereinafter some times referred to as DL-AMPB) and that the essence of the herbicidal activity of DL-AMPB resides in L-AMPB. The mode of action of DL-AMPB has been studied by using microorganisms and it has been clear that DL-AMPB inhibits glutamine synthetase competitively [Helvetica Chemica Acts, 55, Fase 1, pp. 224-239 (1972)]. It may be considered that DL-AMPB is taken into the enzyme in place of the substrate as a kind of unusual amino acid and suspends the function of the enzyme, thus exhibiting the herbicidal activity.

As generally recognized, naturally amino acids are all L-form, and enzymes comprising the amino acids have a high specificity. It is therefore presumed that, among DL-AMPB, L-AMPB is taken into the eyzyme in place of the substrate and exhibits herbicidal activity. The presumption coincides with the fact that L-AMPB is twice as effective as DL-AMPB, as found by inventors.

The amount of AMPBs needed for killing and inhibiting reproduction of perennial weeds and brush will vary, depending on climatic conditions such as temperature and light intensity, and species of weeds and woody weeds to be treated.

DL-AMPBs are usually applied in amounts of 50 g./10 are to 1200 g./10 are to perennial weeds of less than 1meter height, such as wormwood (Artemisia princeps), curly dock (Rumex japonicus Noutt.) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.); 150 g./10 are to 1500 g./10 are to perennial weeds of more that 1 meter height, such as miyakozasa and eulalia, and small brush such as torch azalea (Rhododendron Kaempferi Planch.) and kumaichigo; and 300 g./10 are to 3000 g./10 are to large brush, such as chestnut and oak (Auercus serrata Thunb), and to large stump for controlling the emergence of new buds, by which perennial weeds and woody weeds may be killed and the reproduction thereof may be prevented. The treatment may be possible throughout year, but it is generally performed in spring or summer at growing stage, or in autumn.

As a result of our investigation to make the best use of the characteristics of the herbicidal composition according to the invention, we have found that, on application of the composition according to the invention to foliage and stems of perennial weeds and brush in autumn, the emergence of new buds of perennial weeds and brush would be strongly controlled in the next spring (see Tables 12 through 16), and thus succeeded in broadening the range of seasons over which the composition according to the invention appropriately is employed, by using the method mentioned above. While the appropriate seasons for treatment by ordinary herbicidal composition are mainly from spring to summer and a herbicide suitable for treatment in autumn has been limited to DPX-1100 etc., the invention provides a newly discovered composition which is excellent for treatment in autumn.

The following are examples of compounds of formula (I) and acid-addition salts thereof to be employed in the invention: AMPB, its sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, nickel, manganese, zinc, copper, methylammonium, ethylammonium, propylammonium, isopropylammonium, n-butyl-ammonium, allylammonium and ethanolammonium salts, and the corresponding di-salts; and its hydrochloric, hydrobromic, nitric, perchloric, sulfuric, acetic, propionic, citric, tartaric, chloroacetic, trichloroacetic and trifluoroacetic acid salts.

Thereof, AMPB and its sodium, disodium, potassium, dipotassium, isopropylammonium, n-butylammonium and diammonium salts are preferred.

From the foregoing description, it is to be understood that L-AMPB and the salts thereof are especially preferred.

Although AMPBs, particularly L-AMPBs show a strong reproduction-inhibiting activity by foliar application besides contact killing activity, the effect is not necessarily satisfactory depending on circumstances. In order to utilize the above mentioned superior characteristics of AMPBs, the inventors have further investigated and found that the translocating weeding effect, i.e. reproduction-inhibiting effect of AMPBs, which is one of their characteristics, could be suprisingly enhanced by using them together with a translocating herbicide or slow acting type herbicide, or with a synergist such as choline or diethylamine. For instance, as shown in Table 4, 0.025% of monosodium salt of L-AMPB kills 40% of bitter dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) but fails to inhibit its reproduction.

0.1% of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (hereinafter referred to as 2,4-D) brings about the curvature of foliage of bitter dock but fails to kill it or inhibit its reproduction. Contrary to these, a mixture of 0.025% of monosodium salt of L-AMPB and 0.1% of 2,4-D exhibits a synergistic effect and kills bitter dock thoroughly, thus inhibiting its reproduction completely. Similar effects may be observed in case of noshiba (Zoysia japonica Steud.) which is a perennial weed of Family Gramineae. Namely, 0.05% of monosodium salt of L-AMPB kills 50% of noshiba, which is reproduced three months after the treatment to such an extent that is comparible to non-treated area. 0.1% of 2,4-D is almost ineffective for controlling gramineous weeds. Contrary to these, a mixture of 0.05% of monosodium salt of L-AMPB and 0.1% of 2,4-D enhances the activity of the former remarkably and kills the upperground part thoroughly. No reproduction is observed at all three months after the treatment. Thus, substances having auxinlike activity represented by 2,4-D enhance the contact killing activity and translocating killing activity of L-AMPB, when admixed therewith, against both broad-leaved and narrow-leaved perennial weeds, especially with respect to reproduction-inhibiting activity.

Similar results may be obtained using the choline salt of maleic acid hydrazide (hereinafter referred to as CMH).

Namely, 0.3% of CMH itself shows almost no effect of killing the upperpart and inhibiting the reproduction of bitter dock. Whereas, a mixture of 0.3% of CMH and 0.05% of the monosodium salt of AMPB kills about 90% of the upperground part and yellows the remaining leaves which lose activity and cease subsequent growth, thus showing no reproduction. In general, the effect of L-AMPB may be enhanced from two to five times when used in combination with CMH. Similar results may be obtained by using mixtures of AMPBs with a translocating herbicide or with choline or diethylamine as the synergist, enhancing the effect of AMPBs surprisingly.

Another characteristic of mixtures of AMPBs with the above mentioned herbicides or synergistics is to broaden the species of weeds whose reproduction is inhibited. In order for AMPBs to show the characteristics of inhibiting the reproduction at their maximum, it is essential that they translocate to the underground part, after the foliar treatment and before the death of the upperground part.

However, in case of weeds showing a rapid killing effect such as hedge bindweed (Calystegis hederacea Wall.), the foliage gets killed before the translocation of AMPBs, thus making it difficult to inhibit the reproduction at the underground part. When AMPBs are used together with the translocated herbicide or slow acting herbicide mentioned above, they enhance the effect of the herbicides, and as the result, exhibit a superior reproduction-inhibiting effect against far broader species of weeds than use of AMPBs alone.

Among mixtures of the invention, the mixture of AMPBs with CMH is most excellent in view of its broad weeding spectrum and the thoroughness of its effect.

CMH is known to control perennial weeds by autumn treatment, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Specification No. 49-55835, as laid open to public inspection.

However, a practical defect of CMH is that the timely treatment therewith is restricted to autumn and that cutting of upperground part is required after treatment when it is used in spring or summer. If CMH is used in combination with AMPBs, the latter kill the upperground part gradually, during which period both active ingredients are translocated to underground part and kill it by a synergistic action. Thus, the reproduction-inhibiting activity of CMH may be exhibited at its maximum and the timeliness of treatment therewith may be extended throughout the year. The practical utility of CMH has thus been improved.

Still another characteristic of mixtures of AMPBs with herbicides mentioned above is that they are quite effective for controlling bottom weeds of Japanese cypress forest land, particularly, perennial weeds and brush.

In particular, both CMH and AMPBs show no phytotoxicity to Japanese cypress, and therefore, the combination is quite useful for the practical control of bottom weeds of Japanese cypress forest land.

As described above, the joint use of AMPBs with the herbicides mentioned above brings about practically preferable characteristics, based upon which the following usages may be considered. Namely, mixtures of AMPBs, with the herbicides may be used for controlling a wide variety of annual weeds, perennial weeds and brush, particularly perennial lowland weeds in paddy fields after harvesting; perennial weeds in upland before sowing; perennial weeds and brush in forest land to enable planting; perennial weeds and brush in meadow; perennial weeds and brush in non-crop land such as factory, railroad, park, public facilities, riverbed, bank, highway, golf links and resting crop land; and water weeds and algae by means of foliar application in water.

Like CMH, ammonium ethylcarbamoylphosphate (hereinafter referred to as DPX-1108), cholines and diethylamines exhibit no phytotoxicity to Japanese cypress, and therefore, may be used in combination with AMPBs to control bottom weeds of Japanese cypress forest land. The mixture of AMPBs and CMH is also very useful for controlling perennial weeds in upland before sowing which are difficult to be controlled.

When AMPBs or L-AMPBs are mixed with other herbicide recited above, the ratio will vary from 1:0.1-20 by weight; but it will vary depending on the herbicide to be mixed therewith, as indicated in the following Table 1. Upon application, the composition may be diluted with water to a concentration indicated in the Table and treated at a rate of from 25 to 250 liter per 10 are, preferably from 50 to 150 liter per are.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                         Mixing ratio                                                                              Application                                         Composition     (wt.)      concentration (%)                                   ______________________________________                                         AMPBs           1           0.01-1.0                                           AMPBs:CMH       1:1.0-10.0  0.01-1.0:0.2-1.0                                   AMPBs:MP-48     1:0.5-5.0   0.01-1.0:0.05-0.5                                  AMPBs:SL-501    1:0.5-5.0   0.01-1.0:0.05-0.5                                  AMPBs:2,4-D     1:0.2-4.0   0.01-1.0:0.05-0.4                                  AMPBs:Dowco-233 1:0.1-3.0   0.01-1.0:0.02-0.2                                  AMPBs:linuron   1:0.4-4.0   0.01-1.0:0.05-0.5                                  AMPBs:DPX-1108  1:0.5-5.0   0.01-1.0:0.1-0.6                                   AMPBs:glyphosate                                                                               1:0.3-3.0   0.01-1.0:0.03-0.5                                  AMPBs:cholines  1:1.0-2.4*  0.01-1.0:0.01-0.8                                  AMPBs:diethylamines                                                                            1:1.0-2.4*  0.01-1.0:0.01-0.5                                  L-AMPBs:CMH     1:1.0-20.0 0.005-0.5:0.005-10.0                                L-AMPBs:2,4-D   1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:MCP     1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:3,4-DP  1:0.5-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0025-4.0                                L-AMPBs:MCPP    1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:MCPB    1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:2,4,5-T 1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:SL-501  1:0.5-10.0 0.005-0.5:0.0025-5.0                                L-AMPBs:2,3,6-TBA                                                                              1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:Banvel-D                                                                               1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:amiben  1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:TPA     1:0.3-8.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-4.0                                L-AMPBs:Dowco-233                                                                              1:0.2-6.0  0.005-0.5:0.001-3.0                                 L-AMPBs:glyphosate                                                                             1:0.3-5.0  0.005-0.5:0.0015-2.5                                L-AMPBs:DPX-1108                                                                               1:0.5-20.0 0.005-0.5:0.025-10.0                                L-AMPBs:NP-48   1:0.5-15.0 0.005-0.5:0.0025-7.5                                L-AMPBs:linuron 1:0.5-15.0 0.005-0.5:0.0025-7.5                                L-AMPBs:ATA     1:0.3-10.0 0.005-0.5:0.0015- 5.0                               L-AMPBs:cholines                                                                               1:0.5-5    0.005-0.5:0.0025-2.5                                L-AMPBs:diethylamines                                                                          1:0.3-3    0.005-0.5:0.0015-1.5                                ______________________________________                                          *molar ratio                                                                   MP48: 2(1-allyloxyamino                                                        butylidene)5,5-dimethyl-4-methoxycarbonylcyclohexane-1,3-dione                 SL501: [4(3,5-dichloropyridyl-2-hydroxy)phenoxypropionic acid                  Dowco233: 3,5,6trichloro-2-pyridyloxyacetic acid                               linuron: 3(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea                          MCP: 2methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid                                        3,4DP: (3,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid                                     MCPP: 2(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid                                MCPB: (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid                                   2,4,5T: 2(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid                                2,3,6TBA: 2,3,6trichlorobenzoic acid                                           BanvelD: 3,6dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid                                     amiben: 3amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid                                        TPA: 2,3,6trichlorophenylacetic acid                                           ATA: 3amino-1,2,4-triazole                                               

AMPBs or L-AMPBs, or mixtures thereof with above mentioned herbicides or synergists may be formulated into water-soluble powder, liquid formulation, wettable powder, emulsion, dust or granules, with appropriate diluents. The formulations may contain surfactants such as polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dodecyl ether, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether to improve spreading adhesion and dispersion and to enable certain and enhanced effects.

The following are examples of formulation, to which the scope of the invention may not be restricted:

Formulation 1 Liquid formulation

30.0% by weight of monosodium salt of AMPB, 15.0% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether, 0.15% of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and 54.85% of water are mixed and dissolved to make the formulation. Upon application, it is diluted with water and subjected to foliar treatment.

Formulation 2 Wettable powder

50.0% of monosodium salt of L-AMPBs, 45.0% of diatomaceous earth and 5.0% of nonionic/anionic surfactant are finely pulverized and mixed homogeneously to make the formulation.

Upon application, it is diluted with water and subjected to foliar treatment.

Formulation 3 Dust

5.0% of monoisopropylamine salt of AMPB, 10.0% of CMH and 85.0% of talc are pulverized and blended homogeneously to make the formulation. Upon application, it is subjected to foliar treatment, as such, in amount of 0.4-6 kg. per 10 are.

Formulaton 4 Liquid formulation

10.0% of monosodium salt of L-AMPB, 20.0% of CMH, 15.0% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether, 0.15 % of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and 54.85% of water are thoroughly mixed and dissolved to make the formulation. Upon application, it is diluted with water and subjected to foliar treatment.

The following are examples of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Salts of DL-AMPB or L-AMPB, or mixtures thereof with CMH were diluted to concentrations indicated in Table 2 and sprayed by foliar application to bitter dock transplanted to pots of diameter 20 cm. in amount of 100 liter per 10 are.

Killing index of upper ground part after 21 days (0:no effect, 5:death), as well as killing index and reproduction-inhibiting effect at underground part after 4 months (-:no reproduction, +++:maximum reproduction) were determined.

The detail of this assessment made in this Example was as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Killing index                                                                               Foliage Damage (%)                                                ______________________________________                                         0            0                                                                 1            20%                                                               2            40%                                                               3            60%                                                               4            80%                                                               5            100%                                                              ______________________________________                                    

Four months after treatment, evaluation was made for inhibition of reproduction expressed in terms of symbols ranging from (-) to (+++) where (-) means no reproduction, namely complete suppression of reproduction (±) remarkable suppression of reproduction; (+) considerable suppression of reproduction; (++) medium suppression of reproduction; and (+++) no suppression of reproduction.

As the surfactant, 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether ether was added to each spraying solution. The results are shown in Table 2.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________                        After 21 days                                                                         After 4 months                                                         AMPB concentration (wt. %)                                                     0.025                                                                              0.05                                                                               0.025  0.05                                          __________________________________________________________________________     DL-AMPB Na salt   0   2   0  +++ 0  +++                                        DL-AMPB di-Na salt                                                                               0   2   0  +++ 0  +++                                        DL-AMPB K salt    0   2   0  +++ 0  +++                                        DL-AMPB di-K salt 0   2   0  +++ 0  +++                                        DL-AMPB i-PrNH.sub.2 salt                                                                        1   2.5 0  +++ 0  +++                                        DL-AMPB n-BuNH.sub.2 salt                                                                        1   2.5 0  +++ 0  +++                                        L-AMPB Na salt    2   3   0  +++ 2  ++                                         L-AMPB di-Na salt 2   3   0  +++ 2  ++                                         L-AMPB L salt     2   3   0  +++ 2  ++                                         L-AMPB di-K salt  2   3   0  +++ 2  ++                                         L-AMPB i-PrNH.sub.2 salt                                                                         2.5 3.5 0  +++ 2.5                                                                               +                                          L-AMPB n-BuNH.sub.2 salt                                                                         2.5 3.5 0  +++ 2.5                                                                               ++                                         CMH (0.3%)        1       0 +++                                                DL-AMPB Na + CMH (0.3%)                                                                          2   3.5 1  +++ 4  ±                                       DL-AMPB di-Na + CMH (0.3%)                                                                       2   3.5 1  +++ 4  ±                                       DL-AMPB K + CMH (0.3%)                                                                           2   3.5 1  +++ 4  ±                                       DL-AMPB di-K + CMH (0.3%)                                                                        2   3.5 1  +++ 4  ±                                       DL-AMPB i-PrNH.sub.2 + CMH (0.3%)                                                                2.5 4   1.5                                                                               +++ 4.5                                                                               ±                                       DL-AMPB n-BuNH.sub.2 + CMH (0.3%)                                                                2.5 4   1.5                                                                               +++ 4.5                                                                               ±                                       L-AMPB Na + CMH (0.3%)                                                                           3.5 4.5 4  ±                                                                               5  -                                          L-AMPB di-Na + CMH (0.3%)                                                                        3.5 4.5 4  ±                                                                               5  -                                          L-AMPB K + CMH (0.3%)                                                                            3.5 4.5 4  ±                                                                               5  -                                          L-AMPB di-K + CMH (0.3%)                                                                         3.5 4.5 4  ±                                                                               5  -                                          L-AMPB i-PrNH.sub.2 + CMH (0.3%)                                                                 4   5   4.5                                                                               ±                                                                               5  -                                          L-AMPB n-BuNH.sub.2 + CMH (0.3%)                                                                 4   5   4.5                                                                               ±                                                                               5  -                                          None              0       0 +++                                                __________________________________________________________________________

As shown in Table 2, 0.05% of DL-AMPB alone killed upperground part after 21 days considerably, while 0.05% of L-AMPB alone not only killed upperground part after 21 days and 4 months considerably but also inhibited the reproduction to some extent. The mixtures of L-AMPB with CMH exhibited about twice killing and reproduction-inhibiting effects as compared with the mixtures of DL-AMPB with CMH. In comparison of the mixtures of L-AMPB with CMH against L-AMPB alone, 0.025% of L-AMPB killed 40-50% of bitter dock after 21 days but failed to inhibit the reproduction. 0.3% of CMH showed neither killing effect nor reproduction-inhibiting effect. Whereas, the mixtures of 0.025% of L-AMPB with 0.3% of CMH killed 80-90% of bitter dock after 4 months, yellowed the remaining leaves and deprived them of the activity, finally leading to death and inhibition of reproduction. As mentioned above, the effects of the mixtures of L-AMPB with CMH were more remarkable then the mixtures of DL-AMPB with CMH, which however, could be used sufficiently for the practical control of bitter dock.

EXAMPLE 2

Sodium salts of DL-AMPB or L-AMPB, or glyhosate were sprayed by foliar application to naturally growing perennial weeds in amount of 150 liter per 10 are. As the surfactant, 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether was added to each spraying solution. Killing index and reproduction-inhibiting effect were determined after 21 days and 4 months, respectively, in accordance with the same evaluation standards as in Example 1. The heights or lengths of weeds were 100 cm. for azumanezasa, 50 cm. for wormwood, 30 cm. for bitter dock, 20-30 cm. for yabugarashi (Cavratia japonica Noutt.) about 70 cm. for needle grass (Imperata cylindrica Beauv.), about 5 m. for kudzu (Fueraria thunbergiana Benth.), 40 cm. for inuwarabi (Athyrium niponicum Hance), 40-50 cm. for warunasubi (Solanum carolinense L.) and 15 cm. for hedge bindweed, respectively.

The weeds were all several years old after germination. The results are shown in Table 3.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Concentration (%)                                                                         After 21 days                                                                               After 4 months                                         (g./10 are)                                                                               AB C D E F                                                                             G H I J                                                                             A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                             J                      DL-AMPB                                                                              0.05 1   22121                                                                              120 2                                                                               +++ ++  ++  +++ ++  +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                Na salt                                                                              0.1  (150)                                                                          3   43313                                                                              241 5                                                                               +   +   ++  +++ ++  ++  ++  +++ +++ +++                      0.2  (300)                                                                          5   55555                                                                              353 5                                                                               -   -   -   ++  -   -   -   +   +   ++                 L-AMPB                                                                               0.05 2.5 43333                                                                              331 3                                                                               ++  +   +   ++  ++  ++  ++  +++ +++ +++                Na salt                                                                              0.1  (150)                                                                          4.5 55554.5                                                                            453 5                                                                               -   -   -   +   -   -   -   +   +   ++                       0.2  (300)                                                                          5   55555                                                                              555 5                                                                               -   -   -   ±                                                                               -   -   -   ±                                                                               -   +                  glyphosate                                                                           0.05 0   00001                                                                              010 1                                                                               +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                isopropyl-                                                                           0.1  (150)                                                                          1   1111 3                                                                             232 2                                                                               ++  ++  ++  +++ ++  ++  ++  +++ +++ ++                 amino salt                                                                           0.2  (300)                                                                          3   43245                                                                              344 4                                                                               +   +   +   ++  ±                                                                               +   +   +   +   +++                None       0   00000                                                                              000 0                                                                               +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                __________________________________________________________________________      A: azumanezasa                                                                 B: wormwood                                                                    C: bitter dock                                                                 D: yabugarashi                                                                 E: needle grass                                                                F: kudzu                                                                       G: inuwarabi                                                                   H: warunasubi                                                                  I: purple nutsedge                                                             J: hedge bindweed                                                        

EXAMPLE 3

Naturally growing bitter dock which is several years old after germination and noshiba which is a perennial, gramineous weed were transplanted to pots. After taking of roots, each spraying solution indicated in Table 4 was sprayed by foliar application in amount of 100 liter per 10 are. Killing index after 21 days and reproduction-inhibiting effect after 3 months were determined in accordance with the same evaluation standard as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 4. In the Table, A means the sodium salt of DL-AMPB and LA means the sodium salt of L-AMPB.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                                          After                                                                          21 days After 3 months                                                           bit-          bit-                                                             ter    no-    ter                                           Concentration (%)  dock   shiba  dock  noshiba                                 ______________________________________                                                           A 0.05   2    1.5  +++   +++                                                   A 0.1    3.5  2.5  ++    ++                                  2,4-D Na salt                                                                            0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   A 0.05   5    3.5  ++    ++                                  "         0.1 +   A 0.1    5    4    +     +                                   "         0.2 +   A 0.05   5    4.5  -     -                                   "         0.2 +   A 0.1    5    4.5  -     -                                   CMH       0.3              0    0    +++   +*                                  "         0.6              0    0    +++   +*                                  "         0.3 +   A 0.05   4.5  3.5  -     -                                   "         0.3 +   A 0.1    4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.6 +   A 0.05   5    5    -     -                                   "         0.6 +   A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   DPX-1103  0.15             0    0    +++   ++*                                 ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1103  0.3              0    0    +++   +*                                  ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1103  0.15 +  A 0.05   1    2    ++    +                                   ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1103  0.15 +  A 0.1    1    2.5  +     +                                   ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1103  0.3 +   A 0.05   4    4    -     -                                   ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1103  0.3 +   A 0.1    4    4.5  -     -                                   ammonium salt                                                                  SL-501 Na salt                                                                           0.15             1    2    +++   ++                                  "         0.3              1    3    +++   ++                                  "         0.15 +  A 0.05   2    4    ++    +                                   "         0.15 +  A 0.1    2    4.5  ++    +                                   "         0.3 +   A 0.05   3    4.5  ±  -                                   "         0.3 +   A 0.1    3    5    ±  -                                   Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.05             3    0    +     +++                                 ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.1              4    0    +     +++                                 ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.05 +  A 0.05   5    2.5  +     +                                   ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.05 +  A 0.1    5    3    +     +                                   ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.1  +  A 0.05   5    5    -     -                                   ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.1  +  A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   ethylamine salt                                                                NP-48     0.15             1    2    +++   ++                                  "         0.3              1    3.5  +++   ++                                  "         0.15 +  A 0.05   2    4    +++   +                                   "         0.15 +  A 0.1    2    4    ++    +                                   "         0.3  +  A 0.05   3    4.5  ±  -                                   "         0.3  +  A 0.1    3    5    ±  -                                   linuron   0.1              4    2    +++   +++                                 "         0.3              4    5    +++   +++                                 "         0.1  +  A 0.05   5    3    ++    +                                   "         0.1  +  A 0.1    5    5    ++    +                                   "         0.3  +  A 0.05   5    4    -     -                                   "         0.3  +  A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   glyphosate                                                                               0.05             1.5  1    +++   +++                                 isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.1              2.5  2    ++    ++                                  isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.05 +  A 0.05   4    3.5  +     +                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.05 +  A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.1  +  A 0.05   5    4.5  -     -                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.1  +  A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     choline.HCl                                                                              0.1              0    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              0    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1  +  A 0.05   3.5  3    ±  ±                                "         0.1  +  A 0.1    4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.2  +  A 0.05   5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2  +  A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   diethyl-  0.1              0    0    +++   +++                                 amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.2              0    0    +++   +++                                 amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.1 +   A 0.05   3    2.5  ±  ±                                amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.1 +   A 0.1    4    4    -     -                                   amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.2 +   A 0.05   5    5    -     -                                   amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.1 +   A 0.1    5    5    -     -                                   amine.HCl                                                                                        LA 0.025 2    1.5  +++   +++                                                   LA 0.05  3.5  2.5  ++    +++                                 CMH       0.3              0    0    +++   ++*                                 "         0.6              0    0    +++   +*                                  "         0.3 +   LA 0.025 4.5  3.5  -     -                                   "         0.3 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.6 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.6 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   2,4-D Na salt                                                                            0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   ++*                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 5    3.5  -     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   MCP Na salt                                                                              0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4.5  3    +     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   3,4-DP    0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4    3    +     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4    4.5  -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   MCPP Na salt                                                                             0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4.5  3    +     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   MCPB Na salt                                                                             0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4.5  3    +     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   2,4,5-T Na salt                                                                          0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4.5  4    ±  ±                                "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   SL-501 Na salt                                                                           0.1              0.5  2    +++   ++                                  "         0.2              2    3    +++   ++                                  "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 2.5  4    ++    -                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  3.5  4.5  ++    -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 3.5  4.5  ±  -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  4.5  5    ±  -                                   2,3,6-TEA 0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 Na salt                                                                        2,3,6-TEA 0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 Na salt                                                                        2,3,6-TEA 0.1 +   LA 0.025 4    3    +     +                                   Na salt                                                                        2,3,6-TEA 0.1 +   LA 0.05  4    3    -     -                                   Na salt                                                                        2,3,6-TEA 0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   Na salt                                                                        2,3,6-TEA 0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   Na salt                                                                        Banvel-D  0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 dimethylamine                                                                  Banvel-D  0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 dimethyamine                                                                   Banvel-D  0.1 +   LA 0.025 4    3    +     +                                   dimethylamine                                                                  Banvel-D  0.1 +   LA 0.05  4    4    -     -                                   dimethylamine                                                                  Banvel-D  0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   dimethylamine                                                                  Banvel-D  0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   dimethylamine                                                                  Amiben Na salt                                                                           0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4    3    +     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4    3    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   TPA Na salt                                                                              0.1              1    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              2    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 4    3    +     +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4    3    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.05             3    0    +     +++                                 ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.1     4        0    +    +++                                       ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.05 +  LA 0.025 5    2.5  ±  ±                                ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.05 +  LA 0.05  5    3.5  -     -                                   ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.1 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   ethylamine salt                                                                Dowco-233 tri-                                                                           0.1 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   ethylamine salt                                                                glyphosate                                                                               0.05             1.5  1    +++   +++                                 isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.1              2.5  2    ++    ++                                  isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.05 +  LA 0.025 4    3.5  +     +                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.05 +  LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.1 +   LA 0.025 5    4.5  -     -                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate                                                                               0.1 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     DPX-1108  0.2              0    0    +++   ++*                                 ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1108  0.4              0    0    +++   +*                                  ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1108  0.2 +   LA 0.025 2    2.5  +     +                                   ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1108  0.2 +   LA 0.05  3    3.5  -     -                                   ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1108  0.4 +   LA 0.025 4.5  4.5  -     -                                   ammonium salt                                                                  DPX-1108  0.4 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4.5  -     -                                   ammonium salt                                                                  NP-48     0.15             1    2    +++   ++                                  "         0.3              1    3.5  +++   ++                                  "         0.15 +  LA 0.025 2.5  4    ++    -                                   "         0.15 +  LA 0.05  3    4.5  +     -                                   "         0.3 +   LA 0.025 3.5  5    ±  -                                   "         0.3 +   LA 0.05  4    5    ±  -                                   linuron   0.1              3    2    +++   +++                                 "         0.3              4    4    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 5    4    ++    +                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   "         0.3 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.3 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   ATA       0.05             2    2    +++   +++                                 "         0.1              4    4    +++   +++                                 "         0.05 +  LA 0.025 4    4    ++    ±                                                                     ++                                                                             ++                                        "         0.05 +  LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   choline.HCl                                                                              0.1              0    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.2              0    0    +++   +++                                 "         0.1 +   LA 0.025 3.5  3    ±  ±                                "         0.1 +   LA 0.05  4.5  4    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   "         0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   diethyl-  0.1              0    0    +++   +++                                 amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.2              0    0    +++   +++                                 amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.1 +   LA 0.025 3    2.5  ±  ±                                amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.1 +   LA 0.05  4    4    -     -                                   amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.2 +   LA 0.025 5    5    -     -                                   amine.HCl                                                                      diethyl-  0.2 +   LA 0.05  5    5    -     -                                   amine.HCl                                                                      None                       0    0    +++   +++                                 ______________________________________                                          *suppression of elongation of upperground part.                          

Example 4

Sodium salt of DL-AMPB, L-AMPB, CMH or mixtures thereof were diluted and sprayed by foliar application to naturally growing perennial weeds in amount of 150 liter per 10 are.

Each spraying solution contained 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether as the surfactant. Killing index after 21 days and reproduction-inhibiting effect after 4 months were determined in accordance with the same evaluation standards as in Example 1 and the results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. In the Tables, symbols A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J have the same meanings as in Example 2.

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________                  After 21 days   After 4 months                                    Concentration (%)                                                                           AB CDEFGHIJ     ABCDEFGHIJ                                        __________________________________________________________________________     DL-AMPB0.05  2433431315      ++++++++ +++++++ +++ +++                          DL-AMPB0.1   454454.5 2425   +-++++ ±+-+++++ +++                            DL-AMPB0.2   5555553535      ---+++ ±±-++++++                            DL-AMPB0.4   5555554.5 54.5 5                                                                               - --++---+++++                                    CMH0.3       0100000001      +++++++ +++ +++ +++ +++ ++++++                    CMH0.6       2201110103      +++++ +++ +++ +++++ ++++++                        DLAMPB0.05 + 35434.5 313.5 1.5 5                                                                            +--++±+++++-                                   CMH0.3                                                                         DLAMPB0.05 + 454.5 45513.5 1.5 5                                                                            ---+±±++++-                                 CMH0.6                                                                         DL-AMPB 0.1  +                                                                              4.5 554.5 5544.5 45                                                                            ---±----±-                                  CMH0.3                                                                         DL-AMPB0.1  +                                                                               55555544.5 45   ---±----±-                                  CMH0.6                                                                         0.2  +       5555555555      ----------                                        CMH0.3                                                                         DL-AMPB0.2  +                                                                               5555555555      ----------                                        CMH0.6                                                                         None         0000000000      +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ + ++              __________________________________________________________________________                                  +++                                          

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________                  After 21 days   After 4 months                                    Concentration (%)                                                                           AB CDEFGHIJ     ABCDEFGHIJ                                        __________________________________________________________________________     L-AMPB0.025  2433431315      ++++++++ +++++++ +++ +++                          L-AMPB0.05   454454.5 2425   +-++++ ±+-+++++ +++                            L-AMPB0.1    5555553535      ---+++ ±±-++++++                            L-AMPB0.2    5555554.5 54.5 5                                                                               - --++---+++++                                    CMH0.3       0100000001      +++++++ +++ +++ +++ +++ ++++++                    CMH0.6       2201110103      +++++ +++ +++ ++++++++++                          L-AMP0.025 + CMK 0.3                                                                        35434.5 43425   +--++±+++++-                                   L-AMP0.025 + CMK 0.6                                                                        454.5 4553425   ---+±±++++-                                 L-AMP0.05   + CMK 0.3                                                                       4.5 554.5 554545                                                                               ---±----±-                                  L-AMP0.05  + CMK 0.6                                                                        555555454.5 5   ---±------                                     L-AMP0.1  + CMK 0.3                                                                         5555555555      ----------                                        L-AMP0.1  + CMK 0.6                                                                         5555555555      ----------                                        None         0000000000      +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ ++            __________________________________________________________________________                                  +                                            

As shown in Tables 5 and 6 the reproduction-inhibiting activity of AMPB was surprisingly enhanced and the weeding spectrum was broadened by mixing it with CMH.

EXAMPLE 5

Sodium salt of DL=AMPB, L-AMPB, CMH or mixtures thereof were diluted and sprayed by foliar application in amount of 150 liter per are on Japanese cypress forest land.

Killing index after 30 days and 3 months was determined in accordance with the same evaluation standard as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Tables 7 and 8.

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________                     After 30 days                                                                               After 3 months                                    Concentration (%)                                                                              K  L M  N O  K L  M N  O                                       __________________________________________________________________________     DL-AMPB                                                                              0.125     0  5 3  3 4  0 4  2 2  3                                       "     0.25      0  5 4  4 4  0 5  3 3  4                                       "     0.5       0  5 5  5 5  0 5  4.5                                                                              4.5                                                                               5                                       CMH   0.25      0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0                                       "     0.5       0  1 1  1 1  0 0  1 0  1                                       "     1.0       0  3 3  2 2  0 1  2 1  2                                       DL-AMPB                                                                              0.125 + CMH 0.25                                                                         0  5 3  3.5                                                                              4  0 5  4.5                                                                              4  4.5                                     "     0.125 + CMH 0.5                                                                          0  5 4  4 4.5                                                                               0 5  5 4.5                                                                               5                                       "     0.125 + CMH 1.0                                                                          0  5 4  4 4.5                                                                               0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.25  + CMH 0.25                                                                         0  5 4.5                                                                               4.5                                                                              4  0 5  5 4.5                                                                               5                                       "     0.25  + CMH 0.5                                                                          0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.25  + CMH 1.0                                                                          0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.5  + CMH 0.25                                                                          0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.5  + CMH 0.5                                                                           0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.5  + CMH 1.0                                                                           0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       None            0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________                     After 30 days                                                                               After 3 months                                    Concentration (%)                                                                              K  L M  N O  K L  M N  O                                       __________________________________________________________________________     L-AMPB                                                                               0.063     0  5 3  3 4  0 4  2 2  3                                       "     0.125     0  5 4  4 4  0 5  3 3  4                                       "     0.25      0  5 5  5 5  0 5  4.5                                                                              4.5                                                                               5                                       CMH   0.25      0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0                                       "     0.5       0  1 1  1 1  0 0  1 0  1                                       "     1.0       0  3 3  2 2  0 1  2 1  2                                       L-AMPB                                                                               0.63  + CMH 0.25                                                                         0  5 4  3.5                                                                              4  0 5  4.5                                                                              4  4.5                                     "     0.63  + CMH 0.5                                                                          0  5 4  4 4.5                                                                               0 5  5 4.5                                                                               5                                       "     0.63  + CMH 1.0                                                                          0  5 4  4 4.5                                                                               0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.125 + CMH 0.25                                                                         0  5 4.5                                                                               4.5                                                                              4  0 5  5 4.5                                                                               5                                       "     0.125 +  CMH 0.5                                                                         0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.125 + CMH 1.0                                                                          0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.25  + CMH 0.25                                                                         0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.25  + CMH 0.5                                                                          0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       "     0.25  + CMH 1.0                                                                          0  5 5  5 5  0 5  5 5  5                                       None            0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0 0  0                                       __________________________________________________________________________      K: Japanese cypress                                                            L: chestnut                                                                    M: miyakozasa                                                                  N: eulalia                                                                     O: kusaichigo                                                            

EXAMPLE 6

Sodium salts of DL-AMPB or L-AMPB, or glyphosate were sprayed by foliar application in amount of 150 liter per 10 are at a naturally growing brush. Each spraying solution contained 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether as the surfactant. Killing index after 1 month and 3 months as well as reproduction-inhibiting effect after 3 months were determined in the same evaluation standards as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 9.

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________                             After 3 months                                                                            Reproduction-inhibiting                     Concentration (%)                                                                          After 1 month                                                                              Killing index                                                                             effect                                      (g./10 are) PQRSTUV     PQRSTUV    P   Q   R   S   T   U   V                   __________________________________________________________________________     DL-AMPB                                                                              0.05                                                                               (75)                                                                             0111111     0000000    +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                       0.1                                                                               (150)                                                                             1333333     1111111    ++  +++ ++  ++  ++  ++  ++                        0.2                                                                               (300)                                                                             3555455     2555555    + + -   -   -   -   -   -                   L-AMPB                                                                               0.05                                                                               (75)                                                                             23.543.5333 11.5121.511                                                                               +++ ++  +++ ++  ++  +++ ++                        0.1                                                                               (150)                                                                             4555455     3545555    ++  -   +   -   -   -   -                         0.2                                                                               (300)                                                                             5555555     4555555    ±                                                                               -   -   -   -   -   -                   glyphosate                                                                           0.05                                                                               (75)                                                                             0000000     0000000    +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                 isopropyl-                                                                           0.1                                                                               (150)                                                                             0100111     0000000    +++ +++ +++ + ++                                                                               +++ +++ +++                 amine salt                                                                           0.2                                                                               (300)                                                                             1.5201222   1100100    ++  ++  +++ +++ ++  +++ +++                 None        0000000     0000000    +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                 __________________________________________________________________________      P: Japanese bush cranberry                                                     Q: kiichigo (Rubus palmatsu Thunb. forma coptophyllus Makino)                  R: Japanese prickly ash (Xanthoxylum piperitum DC.)                            S: lace shrub (Stephanandra incisa Zabel)                                      T: yamazakura (Prunus donarium Sieb. var. spontanae Makino)                    U: torch azalea                                                                V: oak                                                                   

EXAMPLE 7

Sodium salt of DL-AMPB or CMH, or mixtures thereof were sprayed by foliar application to shrubs of about 60-70 cm. height indicated in Table 8. Each spraying solution contained 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether as the surfactant. Killing index after 21 days and reproduction-inhibiting effect after 4 months were determined in accordance with the same evaluation standards as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 10.

                                      TABLE 10                                     __________________________________________________________________________                    After 21 days                                                                            After 4 months                                        Concentration (%)                                                                             W X Y Z L W   X   Y   Z   L                                     __________________________________________________________________________     DL-AMPB      0.1                                                                              4 4 0 1 4 +   +   +++ +++ +                                     "            0.2                                                                              5 5 0 2 5 -   -   +++ +   -                                     "            0.4                                                                              5 5 0 4 5 -   -   +++ ±                                                                               -                                     CMH          0.3                                                                              0 0 0 0 0 ++  ++  +++ +   +                                     "            0.6                                                                              0 0 0 0 0 +   +   +++ -   -                                     DL-AMPB                                                                              0.1 + CMH                                                                             0.3                                                                              5 5 0 2 5 -   -   +++ ±                                                                               -                                     "     0.1 + CMH                                                                             0.6                                                                              5 5 0 2 5 -   -   +++ -   -                                     "     0.2 + CMH                                                                             0.3                                                                              5 5 0 3 5 -   -   +++ -   -                                     "     0.2 + CMH                                                                             0.6                                                                              5 5 0 3 5 -   -   +++ -   -                                     "     0.4 + CMH                                                                             0.3                                                                              5 5 0 4.5                                                                              5 -   -   +++ -   -                                     "     0.4 + CMH                                                                             0.6                                                                              5 5 0 4.5                                                                              5 -   -   +++ -   -                                     None         0 0 0 0 0 0 +++ +++ +++ +++ +++                                   __________________________________________________________________________      W: Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et. Zucc.)                        X: Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Murray)                                    Y: Japanese cypress                                                            Z: Japanese cedar                                                              L: chestnut                                                              

EXAMPLE 8

Sodium salt of DL-AMPB, L-AMPB, CMH, or mixtures thereof were sprayed by foliar application to naturally growing shrubs on Oct. 25, in amount of 150 liter per 10 are.

Each test area was 4 m² and each spraying solution contained 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether as the surfactant. The reproduction-inhibiting effect was determined on May 23 of the next year in accordance with the same evaluation standard as in Example 1. The results are shown in Tables 12 and 13.

                                      TABLE 12                                     __________________________________________________________________________                      Reproduction-                                                                  inhibiting                                                    Concentration (%)                                                                               effect  Remarks                                               __________________________________________________________________________     DL-AMPB Na                                                                             0.125    3.5     A' = 5, B' = 3, U = 5, A = 4.5                        "       0.25     4       C' = 5, D' = 4.5, B' = 3.5                            "       0.5      5       A' = 5, D' = 5, U = 5                                 CMH     0.5      0.5-1   D' = 0.5, U = 1.5-2, E' = 1.5                         "       1.0      1       C' = 3.5-4, U = 3.5-4,                                "                        D' = 0.5, others =                                                             slightly inhibited                                    "       2.0      1-1.5   L = 3.5, D' = 1, F' = 1,                                                       others = slightly                                                              inhibited                                             DL-AMPB Na                                                                             0.125 + CMH 0.5                                                                         4.5     almost not reproduced                                                          incl. of G' and E',                                                            A = 4.5-5                                             "       0.125 + CMH 1.0                                                                         4.5     H', U and A = almost                                                           not reproduced                                        "       0.125 + CMH 2.0                                                                         5       A, B', A', L' and                                                              others = inhibited                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 13                                     __________________________________________________________________________                       Reproduction-                                                                  inhibiting                                                   Concentration (%) effect  Remarks                                              __________________________________________________________________________     L-AMPB Na                                                                              0.0625    3.5     A' = 5, B' = 3, U = 5                                                          A = 4.5                                              "       0.125     4       C' = 5, D' = 4.5, B = 3.5                            "       0.25      5       A' = 5, D' = 5, U = 5                                CMH     0.5       0.5-1   D' = 0.5, U = 1.5-2,                                                           E' = 1.5                                             "       1.0       1       C' = 3.5-4, U = 3.5-4,                                                         D' = 0.5, others =                                                             slightly inhibited                                   "       2.0       1-1.5   L = 3.5, D' = 1, F' = 1,                                                       others = slightly                                                              inhibited                                            L-AMPB Na                                                                              0.0625 + CMH 0.5                                                                         4.5     almost not repro-                                                              duced incl. of G'                                                              and E', A = 4.5-5                                    "       0.0625 + CMH 1.0                                                                         4.5     H', U and A = almost                                                           not reproduced                                       "       0.0625 + CMH 2.0                                                                         5       A, B', A', L' and                                                              others = inhibited                                   L-AMPB Na                                                                              0.125  + CMH 0.5                                                                         4.5     D', U, A and B' =                                                              almost not reproduced                                "       0.125  + CMH 1.0                                                                         4.5     B', U, D' = almost not                                                         reproduced                                           "       0.125  + CMH 2.0                                                                         5       not reproduced                                       L-AMPB Na                                                                              0.25  + CMH 0.5                                                                          5       E' = slightly resistant                                                        others = not reproduced                              "       0.25  + CMH 1.0                                                                          5       not reproduced                                       "       0.25  + CMH 2.0                                                                          5       not reproduced                                       None              0       A' = 30 cm., H' = 20 cm.,                                                      D' = 50 cm., A = 75 cm.,                                                       U = 10-20 cm.,                                                                 B' = 25 cm.                                          DL-AMPB Na                                                                             0.25  + CMH 0.5                                                                          4.5     D', U, A and B' =                                                              almost not reproduced                                "       0.25  + CMH 1.0                                                                          4.5     B', U, D' = almost not                                                         reproduced                                           "       0.25  + CMH 2.0                                                                          5       not reproduced                                       DL-AMPB Na                                                                             0.5   + CMH 0.5                                                                          5       H' = slightly resistant                                                        others = not reproduced                              "       0.5   + CMH 1.0                                                                          5       not reproduced                                       "       0.5   + CMH 2.0                                                                          5       not reproduced                                       None              0       A' = 30 cm., H' = 20 cm.,                                                      D' = 50 cm., A = 75 cm.,                                                       U = 10-20 cm.,                                                                 B'= 25 cm.                                           __________________________________________________________________________      A': koajisai (Hydrangea hirta Sieb. et Zucc.)                                  B': toneriko (Eraxinus japonica Blume)                                         C': mizunara (Quercus crispula Blume)                                          D': tree clethra (Clethra barbinervis Sieb. et. Zucc.)                         E': Japanese witch hazel (Hamamemis japonica Sieb. et. Zucc.)                  F': yamaurushi (Rhus trichocarpa Mig.)                                         G': Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonica Sieb. et. Zucc.)                        H': nejiki (Lyonia Neziki et Hara)                                             L': painted maple (Acer mono Maxim.)                                           A, L and U: same meanings as in Examples 2, 5 and 6.                     

EXAMPLE 9

In order to evaluate the effects of AMPBs against evergreen shrubs, sodium salt of L-AMPB, maleic hydrazide (MH) and mixtures thereof were sprayed by foliar application to Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonica Thunb.,hereinafter referred to as I'), mokkoku (Ternstroemia japonica Thunb., hereinafter referred to as J') and Japanese hawthorn (Rhaphiolepsis umbellata Makino var. Mertensii Makino, hereinafter referred to as K') in amount of 100 liter per 10 are. Each spraying solution contained 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether as the surfactant.

The application and the investigation were carried out on Dec. 14, and May 22 of the next year, respectively, and the reproduction-inhibiting effect was determined in accordance with the same evaluation standard as in Example 1. The results are shown in Tables 14 and 15.

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                         Concentration (%)    I'       J'    K'                                         ______________________________________                                         L-AMPB Na    0.125       4        5   5                                        "            0.25        5        5   5                                        MH           0.5         1        1   1                                        "            1.0         2        1.5 1.5                                      "            2.0         2.5      2   2                                        L-AMPB Na    0.125 + MH 0.5                                                                             5        5   5                                        "            0.125 + MH 1.0                                                                             5        5   5                                        "            0.125 + MH 2.0                                                                             5        5   5                                        L-AMPB Na    0.25  + MH 0.5                                                                             5        5   5                                        "            0.25  + MH 1.0                                                                             5        5   5                                        "            0.25  + MH 2.0                                                                             5        5   5                                        None                     0        0   0                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                         Concentration (%)    I'       J'    K'                                         ______________________________________                                         DL-AMPB Na   0.25        4        5   5                                        "            0.5         5        5   5                                        MH           0.5         1        1   1                                        "            1.0         2        1.5 1.5                                      "            2.0         2.5      2   2                                        DL-AMPB Na   0.25 + MH 0.5                                                                              5        5   5                                        "            0.25 + MH 1.0                                                                              5        5   5                                        "            0.25 + MH 2.0                                                                              5        5   5                                        DL-AMPB Na   0.5  + MH 0.5                                                                              5        5   5                                        "            0.5  + MH 1.0                                                                              5        5   5                                        "            0.5  + MH 2.0                                                                              5        5   5                                        None                     0        0   0                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

Sodium salts of DL-AMPB or L-AMPB, or glyphosate were sprayed by foliar aplication in amount of 100 liter per 10 are to flatstage (Cyperis serotinus Rottb.) grown in 1/5000 are Wagner pots, in the end of October. Each spraying solution contained 0.1% of polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether as the surfactant. After three months, the tubers were cut off and subjected to germination test in tall petri dishes. 21 days after initiation of the germination test, the germination-inhibiting effect (0:no harm, 5:no emergence) was determined. The results are shown in Table 16.

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                         Concentration                                                                  (%)            Germination-inhibiting effect                                   ______________________________________                                         DL-AMPB Na   0.1   5                                                           "            0.3   5                                                           L-AMPB Na    0.1   5                                                           "            0.3   5                                                           glyphosate   0.1   3                                                           isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     glyphosate   0.3   5                                                           isopropyl-                                                                     amine salt                                                                     None               0                                                           ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A herbicidal composition for controlling perennial weeds and brush which comprises a component (i) which is a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein X and Y are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a mono- or divalent metal atom, ammonium, a mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylammonium, a mono-, di- or tri-ethanolammonium or a mono-, di- or tri-lower alkenylammonium, and m and n represent valencies of X and Y, respectivelyor an acid-addition salt thereof, and a component (ii) which comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of a chlorophenoxy C₁ -C₄ aliphatic acid or salt or ester thereof, a chlorobenzoic acid or salt or ester thereof and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea; in a ratio by weight of said component (i) to said component (ii) of from 1:0.25 to 1:1.
 2. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said componet (ii) is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or a salt or exter thereof.
 3. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said compound or an acid-addition salt thereof which comprises said component (i) is an L-isomer.
 4. The herbicidal composition of claim 2, wherein said compound or an acid addition salt thereof which comprises said component (i) is an L-isomer.
 5. The herbicidal composition of claim 1 wherein X and Y are each independently selecteed from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, sodium atom, potassium atom, isopropylammonium, n-butylammonium and ammonium.
 6. The herbicidal composition of claim 2 wherein X and Y are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, sodium atom, potassium atom, isopropylammonium, n-butylammonium and ammonium.
 7. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid or salt or ester thereof.
 8. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 2-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid or salt or ester thereof.
 9. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid or salt or ester thereof.
 10. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 4-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid or salt or ester thereof.
 11. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid or salt or ester thereof.
 12. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 2,3,6-trichlorobenzioc acid or salt or ester thereof.
 13. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid or salt or ester thereof.
 14. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid.
 15. The herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said component (ii) is 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea.
 16. A method for controlling perennial weeds and brush which comprises applying thereto a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicidal composition as claimed in any one of claims 1, 3, 5 or
 6. 